h_jud_2017a_2017-04-20t13:40:03z6 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/20/2017

Location: RM 271

12:43 AM -- HB17-1329



The committee came back to order. Representatives Lee and Landgraf presented House Bill 17-1329, concerning the treatment of youths within the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC) within the Department of Human Services (DHS). It changes the name of DYC to the Division of Youth Services and redefines the purpose of DYC. It requires DYC, on and after January 1, 2018, to implement a pilot program to aid in the creation of a division-wide therapeutic and rehabilitative culture. The pilot program has a repeal date of July 1, 2021. As part of the pilot program, DYC must provide treatment to at least 20 committed youth, divided into groups of no more than 12. Staff and youth must be assigned to teams that remain throughout the program. Staff assigned to the program must have specific training and may not be assigned solely as security staff.



12:45 AM -- Mr. Anders Jacobson, Executive Director, DYC, testified in opposition to the introduced version of the bill, but stated that the department would support the bill with amendments. Mr. Jacobson responded to questions from the committee.





12:59 AM



Representatives Landgraf and Lee made comments regarding the bill. Representative Lee responded to questions from the committee.



01:21 AM -- Ms. Ann Roan, Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill and discussed her experience in defending juveniles placed in DYC.



01:26 AM -- Mr. Jerry Agee, a former DYC director representing himself, testified in support of the bill and discussed his experience in being a director of DYC.



01:30 AM -- Mr. Jerry Adamek, a former DYC director representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Adamek responded to questions from the committee.



01:35 AM -- Mr. John Riley, a former DYC director representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



01:46 AM -- Mr. Chris Diaz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and discussed his son's experience in DYC.



01:49 AM -- Mr. Mark Ivandick, Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



01:54 AM -- Ms. Carrie Thompson, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.



01:56 AM -- Ms. Becca Curry, ACLU, testified in support of the bill and read a letter from a juvenile who is currently being held in Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center.



01:59 AM -- Ms. Marijo Rymer, Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:01 AM -- Ms. Kathleen Hynes, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:07 AM -- Ms. Linda Weinerman, Director, Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.



02:09 AM -- Ms. Andrea Wilkins, League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill.



02:12 AM -- Ms. Denise Maes, ACLU, testified in support of the bill.



02:14 AM -- Ms. Rebecca Wallace, Policy Council, ACLU, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wallace responded to questions from the committee regarding the administrative structure of DYC and DHS.





02:28 AM



Representative Lee moved Amendment L.001 (Attachment M), Amendment L.005 (Attachment N), which amends Amendment L.001, and Amendment L.003 (Attachment O).



17HouseJud0420AttachM.pdf 17HouseJud0420AttachN.pdf



17HouseJud0420AttachO.pdf

02:31 AM



The committee recessed.





02:33 AM



The committee came back to order. The committee made comments regarding the bill. Representatives Landgraf and Lee made concluding comments on the bill.